NEW YORK (July 26, 2013)鈥�Marine scientists and veterinarians from the 菊花视频 teamed up with volunteers from Belize and Google for this year鈥檚 annual sea turtle survey in the coastal waters of Belize. The project, conducted in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department, received some key support from staff of Google, Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Environmental Research Institute (University of Belize) as they assisted in the sighting, capture, tagging, and release of the marine-dwelling reptiles.

The four main objectives of the surveys, which have been conducted since 2007, are: to determine an absolute abundance estimate of the three species of turtles on the Glover鈥檚 Reef Atoll; to increase knowledge of sea turtle movements and habitat use; to assess genetic stock and growth rates of sea turtles on the Atoll; and to increase the capacity of stakeholders to collect accurate and standardized data.

For the second straight year, WCS led a group of volunteers from Google to participate in the annual sea turtle survey at Glover鈥檚 Reef Research Station. Over a week-long period, the team snorkeled 16 one hour long transects in Glover鈥檚 Reef Atoll, and sighted 90 sea turtles, 75 of which were the critically endangered Caribbean hawksbill turtles. The team also captured by hand a total of 27 sea turtles 鈥� 24 hawksbills, 2 greens and one loggerhead.

鈥淭he data collected during the surveys will help us answer a number of questions on these species, ranging from how many sea turtles might live in this area to how exactly they use their environment,鈥� said Robin Coleman, WCS Belize Assistant Country Director and leader of the survey.

Once aboard the research vessel, the captured turtles were measured, weighed, and tagged by WCS Belize staff members. One turtle鈥攁 sub-adult green sea turtle鈥攚as fitted with a SPOT satellite tag, which will enable researchers to follow the long-range movements of the animal as it travels away from Glover鈥檚 Reef Atoll.

Before being released, the captured turtles were also given health assessments by Dr. Paul Calle, WCS鈥檚 Chief Veterinarian, and Kate McClave, Curator of Aquatic Health at the New York Aquarium. Specifically, the WCS veterinary staff conducted physical examinations on the turtles, which included the collection of blood and tissue samples for physiologic, diagnostic, molecular, and genetic testing. The health experts also collected barnacles, algae, and other parasites; an analysis of the carbon and nitrogen isotopes in these epibionts can reveal information on regions where turtles acquire these passengers.

鈥淭he Annual Sea Turtle Survey is a great opportunity to learn valuable information about the biology and ecology of sea turtles鈥攙ital for effective management plans,鈥� said Dr. Caleb McClennen, Director of WCS鈥檚 Marine Program. 鈥淲e also thank our committed volunteers from Google and other quarters for helping us carry out our important conservation work at Glover鈥檚 Reef.鈥�

The 菊花视频 saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.